Victims of Torture

Lord Orme: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What action is being taken to address the United Nations International Day for Victims of Torture.

Baroness Amos: On 26 June, UN International Day in support of Victims of Torture, the FCO launched phase 3 of the UK Anti-Torture Initiative.
	During the first two phases of the UK Anti-Torture Initiative, launched in October 1998 and December 2000 by my right honourable friend the Member for Livingston, the UK combined a global lobbying campaign for universal ratification of the UN Convention against Torture (at the time ratified by just over 50 per cent of UN member states) with a number of practical measures, including the publication and distribution of 20,000 copies in seven languages of a handbook giving guidance on reporting instances of torture, financial support for the UN's work with torture victims and the secondment of a senior UK police officer to the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture.
	Phase 3 will combine continued global lobbying with new practical steps. Since December 1998, 13 more countries have ratified the UN CAT. Our target is to secure another five ratifications by the end of 2003, bringing the total to 134 or 70 per cent. We will also be lobbying with EU partners for the adoption of the draft optional protocol to the CAT. The protocol is intended to help prevent torture by allowing both UN and independent national teams the right to inspect places of detention in signatory countries.
	New practical measures for phase 3 will include:
	a new publication on judicial safeguards to provide judiciary and law makers worldwide with examples of best practice regarding judicial control of torture;
	support for the African Commission on Human Rights Special Rapporteur on Prisons in particular her monitoring role of prison conditions with regard to the prevention of torture;
	establishment of a visiting programme to UK for senior clinicians who work in countries where the practice of torture is widespread for work placements with leading NGOs involved in torture rehabilitation; and the FCO will also continue to provide financial support of £175,000 per year to the UN Voluntary Fund for the Victims of Torture which provides urgent medical and legal support worldwide.
	Phase 3 will be the last stage of activity. After this, to consolidate efforts of the past three years to combat torture, the FCO is planning to mainstream torture work within the FCO's general human rights mandate and set up a panel of experts to advise on future strategy.

Chagossian Visit

Baroness McIntosh of Hudnall: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What plans have been made for the Chagossians to visit the Chagos Islands.

Baroness Amos: The Government of the British Indian Ocean Territory are organising and paying for the charter of a ship to take about 100 Chagossians to the outer islands of the Chagos archipelago to visit ancestral graves. Subject to agreement with the representatives of those concerned, the ship, the M/S "Mauritius Trochetia," will depart from Port Louis on 5 October and will visit the islands of Peros Banhos and Salomon. It is expected to return on 17 October. The British High Commission in Mauritius and Seychelles are in contact with the leaders of the various Chagossian groups and are inviting them to draw up a jointly agreed list of passengers.

Visa Fees

Baroness Wilkins: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether there have been any recent changes in United Kingdom visa fees:

Baroness Amos: On 26 June, the Privy Council made the Consular Fees Order 2002, which sets out the new fees for UK visas with effect from 1 July.
	On 17 June Members in the other place approved the draft Section 102 order, made under the Finance (No 2) Act 1987, following a debate in the Standing Committee on Delegated Legislation on 11 June. The Section 102 order provides the legal authority for the visa fee increase by allowing past deficits incurred in the costs of running the entry clearance operation to be taken into account when setting visa fees and for the cross-subsidisation of the costs of different entry clearance services.
	Most visa fees will go up by between 8 per cent and 10 per cent. The main increases are:
	Standard visit visa: up 9 per cent from £33 to £36.
	The single entry visa has ceased to exist since the introduction in October 2000 of visas of leave to enter. The new standard visa for multiple entries valid for six months at £36 is cheaper than the old six-month multiple-entry visa, which provided the same level of service at a cost of £45.
	Five-year multiple-entry visa: up 10 per cent from £80 to £88.
	Settlement visa: up 8 per cent from £240 to £260.
	In addition, the long-term non-settlement visa fee will increase by 50 per cent from £50 to £75.
	A new 10-year multiple entry visa priced at £150 is also being introduced for the first time. There is growing demand for this kind of visa. Its introduction will provide an enhanced service to regular travellers to the UK, without compromising the integrity of the immigration control.
	The Consular Fees Order setting new visa fees is being made not only to cover current costs but also to recover past deficits of visa fees (from April 2000), caused by the increased cost of the entry clearance operation world-wide. It is intended that these increases will return the entry clearance operation to a self-financing basis by 2003–04.
	We recognise that these fee increases will be unwelcome. However, we must make sure that the full cost of providing a visa service is covered by visa fees.
	To put these increases into context:
	These would be the first fee increase for visitor's visas since 1995.
	The proposed increases still keep UK visas within their service delivery agreement commitment not to increase visa fees in real terms.
	The standard visit visa at £36 is still cheaper than the old six-month multiple entry visa which provided the same level of service at a cost of £45.
	Applicants now get more for their money. Since October 2000, the standard visit visa has not only allowed people to visit the UK on multiple occasions during the validity of their leave to enter; they also benefit from an enhanced and speedier immigration process on arrival.
	UK visas is undertaking a range of measures to reduce costs and increase productivity. But these alone will not be sufficient to recover the deficit. The increases will enable UKvisas not only to recover past deficits but also to cover the increased costs of the provision of visa services.

Police Forces: Airwave

Lord Marlesford: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will name those police forces which are now equipped with Airwave, the new secure encrypted digital radio system, indicating in respect of each force the date on which the equipment was in service; and whether the system is proving satisfactory in operational conditions.

Lord Falconer of Thoroton: The Airwave service is being provided under contract by mmO2 Limited, which has to date provided the infrastructure needed to deliver the service to six forces in England and Wales. These forces are, with their migration status shown in brackets: Lancashire (complete), Greater Manchester (restarting in July 2002), North Yorkshire (complete), West Mercia (started 12 March 2002), Suffolk (started 13 May 2002) and Leicestershire (due to start Summer 2002).
	Forces migrate to the Airwave service from their existing systems on a staged basis once the infrastructure, purchasing of terminals and officer training have all been completed. The Airwave contract defines this starting point as being the ready for service (RFS) date.
	Once a force has passed its RFS date, migration usually takes place on a division-by-division basis and can last several months.
	In view of the demanding requirements and the state-of-the-art technology being used, it has generally taken longer to install and integrate the Airwave infrastructure and equipment than was originally hoped. However, once the system has been optimised, it has been found to meet operational requirements.
	Airwave provides substantial benefits compared to the existing analogue systems, including improved officer safety through an emergency button, secure encryption of all voice and data traffic, improved coverage, good quality clear speech, reduced interference and access to a comprehensive range of data services.

Gwent Constabulary: Firearms Certificates

Lord Corbett of Castle Vale: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will call for a report from Gwent Constabulary on the reasons for delays in its administration of applications for shotgun and firearms certificates and renewals and variations of them.

Lord Falconer of Thoroton: Gwent Police shares the concerns of others regarding the delays currently being experienced by certificate holders and new applicants in the administration of their various firearms applications. I understand that additional resources and new procedures have been introduced to enable staff to deal with applications more effectively and efficiently and that the force expects the current backlog of work to be cleared and the department brought up to date by the end of September 2002.

Gwent Constabulary: Firearms Certificates

Lord Corbett of Castle Vale: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	On what dates in the past five years has HM Inspectorate of Constabulary inquired into the administration of shotgun and firearms certificates by Gwent Constabulary.

Lord Falconer of Thoroton: I understand from Her Majesty's Inspector of Constabulary that the force as a whole was inspected in December 2000 and August 1999, but this area of business was not specifically inspected. However, a best value review of firearms licensing is expected to take place in 2004.

Immigration Detainees

Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many persons they currently hold subject to restrictions in (a) asylum reception centres; and (b) immigration detention centres; and in respect of (b) how many are subject to removal orders or are facing criminal charges.

Lord Filkin: The latest available data on the number of persons held in (a) Oakington Asylum reception centre and (b) dedicated immigration removal centres relates to 30 March 2002 and are contained in the table.
	
		
			 Reception centre Population at 30 March 2002(1) 
			 Oakington 230 
			 Immigration Removal Centres  
			 Harmondsworth 525 
			 Campsfield House 185 
			 Haslar 135 
			 Tinsley House 125 
			 Lindholme 95 
			 Dungavel 90 
			 Yarl's Wood(2) 5 
			 Total Removals Centres 1,160 
		
	
	(1) Figures are rounded to nearest five.
	(2) Only five detainees were being held at Yarl's Wood Removal Centre, which was being temporarily emptied of detainees following the fire there on 14–15 February 2002.
	Figures for the number of those detainees who were subject to removal orders as at 30 March would be available only by examination of individual case files at disproportionate cost.
	Persons facing criminal charges would not normally be held in an immigration removal centre.
	Information on Immigration Act detainees as at 29 June will be published on 30 August on the Home Office Research Development and Statistics Directorate website at http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigrationl.html.

Refugees

Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Further to the reply by Lord Filkin on 18 June (col. 728), what precisely they mean by (a) the "mandate refugee programme"; (b) the "10 or more plans"; and (c) the "CSR 2002 process"; and how much funding they expect.

Lord Filkin: (a) The mandate refugee programme provides resettlement to the United Kingdom of refugees who are in their own country, or in a third country, who are faced with some threat to their safety or well-being and are deemed by the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) to be refugees. Applicants are assessed on whether the United Kingdom is the best place for them, as well as taking into account the circumstances in their present country of refuge. Funding for this programme is taken from the overall Immigration and Nationality Directorate (IND) budget.
	(b) The 10 or more plan provides resettlement to the United Kingdom for disabled mandate refugees who have medical needs that cannot be treated in their current place of refuge. Funding for this programme is also taken from the overall IND budget.
	(c) The SR 2002 process refers to the spending plans and priorities for all Home Office areas and is currently under discussion for the period 2003–04 to 2005–06. Funding proposals are subject to funding being available.

Trafficking People

Lord Beaumont of Whitley: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	For each of the last five years, what sum has been recovered by way of confiscation from those prosecuted for involvement in the trafficking of women.

Lord Filkin: I refer the noble Lord to the reply I gave him on 18 June (WA 70).

Commission for Racial Equality Annual Report

Lord Hughes of Woodside: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they intend to make available the Commission for Racial Equality 2001 annual report.

Lord Filkin: The Commission for Racial Equality's annual report 2001 is published today.
	Copies have been placed in the Library and arrangements have been made for copies to be sent to the Scottish Parliament and the National Assembly for Wales.

Magistrates' Court Closures

Lord Jones: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many magistrates' courts have been closed since 1990 in (a) England, (b) Wales and (c) Northern Ireland.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: Magistrates' courts committees are not required by statute to inform the Government of court closures. The data held centrally are, therefore, of variable quality, and particularly so before 1995. Since 1990 the best information indicates that in England and Wales 112 and 27 courthouses were closed respectively.
	In Northern Ireland one magistrates' court venue has been closed since 1990. The court, at Newtownabbey, County Antrim, was closed on 17 February 2002 and the business was absorbed in Belfast Magistrates' Court.

Third Parties—Rights Against Insurers

Lord Hogg of Cumbernauld: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the Government accept the recommendations made by the Law Commission and the Scottish Law Commission in their report on Third Parties—Rights Against Insurers.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The Government have carefully considered this report and accept the Law Commissions' recommendations. A consultation paper will be issued shortly on implementing the proposals by way of a Regulatory Reform Order.

Land Registration Act 2002

Lord Howie of Troon: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When they intend to implement the Land Registration Act 2002.

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: The Land Registration Act 2002 will be brought into force on Monday 13 October 2003. This will allow sufficient time to consult on and make the necessary secondary legislation, to develop new office procedures to accommodate the new legislation and to carry out a thorough programme of education and training both within the Land Registry and across the wider conveyancing community.

Turkish Cypriot Assets

Lord Kilclooney: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether vehicles, machinery and other assets were left for safe-keeping at the two sovereign bases in Cyprus by Turkish Cypriots in 1974; whether any of these assets were returned to Turkish Cypriots in Northern Cyprus; and whether there are still Turkish Cypriot assets held for safe-keeping at the two bases.

Lord Bach: Vehicles, machinery and other items of personal property were left in the Western Sovereign Base Area by Turkish Cypriots when they were evacuated by air from RAF Akrotiri in January 1975. None of these items has been returned to Turkish Cypriots in Northern Cyprus. Much of the property had to be destroyed on public health grounds as its condition deteriorated, but the majority of the vehicles, together with some agricultural machinery, are still held in a compound at British Forces Episkopi. A number of sporting weapons are also held in the armoury at RAF Akrotiri.

Type 45 Destroyer: RAND Report

Lord Acton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the RAND report on Type 45 procurement options has been published.

Lord Bach: The RAND report on acquisition options for the Type 45 destroyer has now been published. A copy has been placed in the Library of the House.
	RAND is a very experienced and influential organisation and has been conducting analyses of military shipbuilding, the industrial base and competition issues for two decades. The Ministry of Defence commissioned RAND last year to carry out an independent study into a range of alternative procurement strategies for our future warship programme over the next 15 to 20 years, with particular reference to options for Type 45 destroyers. This followed receipt of an unsolicited bid from BAES Marine proposing that it should build all 12 ships planned for the Class. This differed from the Type 45 shipbuilding procurement strategy at that time, which envisaged Vosper Thornycroft building one of the first batch of three ships and competing with BAES Marine for later batches.
	Initial results from the study were used to help inform the MoD's decision to proceed with a revised procurement strategy for the Type 45, in which each of the two shipbuilders, BAES Marine and Vosper Thornycroft, will be allocated modules (or blocks) of the ship to build. The revised strategy was announced by my Right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Defence on 10 July 2001 (Official Report, col 675–85) in another place.
	RAND's analysis indicated that there would be roughly an even chance that competitive production of the Type 45 by two shipbuilders would yield about the same overall cost as sole-source production. Noting that a competitive strategy could lead to one shipbuilder building most of the ships, RAND also investigated alternative strategies to direct work to each of the two shipbuilders to keep both involved in building warships.
	The RAND results also suggested that, for strategies that directed Type 45 work to a number of shipyards, allocation of blocks is more cost effective that the allocation of whole ships because the workforce increase productivity as it gains experience of building the same blocks. Such a strategy will also have the advantage of keeping both shipbuilders in the Type 45 progamme and potentially available to compete for future warship programmes. In addition, the revised strategy is likely to provide better value for money in the longer term than the unsolicited proposal, if it enables competition to be pursued on other warship programmes.
	Following the Type 45 decision, RAND continued its study, taking a broader look at the foreseeable balance of demand and supply in the warship building sector an the potential effects of different procurement approaches. The report does not make specific recommendations concerning procurement strategies for future programmes, although it has helped clarify issues regarding block production (which is likely to be employed for the future carrier). It also provides an indication of the size of workforce that will be required to sustain the future programme.
	RAND's work has already helped the MoD to arrive at a pragmatic solution for the Type 45. The report will also provide a valuable source of information for further study of the warship building sector.

Royal Navy Warships: Base Porting

Lord Desai: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What progress has been made on the future basing of Royal Navy ships and submarines and the future requirement for three naval bases.

Lord Bach: A joint Royal Navy/Warship Support Agency study team has recently completed a wide-ranging review of the base porting arrangements for Royal Navy warships and Royal Fleet Auxiliaries and the infrastructure required to support them. Their recommendations have been endorsed by Ministers and will be implemented subject to trade union consultation.
	The three existing naval bases at Portsmouth, Devonport and Clyde are able to provide sufficient capacity to support the ships and submarines that are in service, on order or planned.
	The future aircraft carrier, the CVF, will be based at HM Naval Base Portsmouth. While it should be possible to berth two CVFs in Portsmouth simultaneously, for military reasons this may not be desirable. Options are therefore being considered to make use of an occasional stand-by berth for the high-readiness CVF. Further work on the design, operating patterns and manning are needed before a final decision can be made, although initial indications show that Southampton could provide such a facility if required:
	As announced on 1 July 2002 (WA 13), the batches one and two of Astute class submarines will be based at HM Naval Base Clyde, and the Trafalgar class will remain at Devonport.
	With regard to the remainder of the fleet, the T45 destroyers will progressively replace the T42 destroyers based at Portsmouth. The two new amphibious ships, HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark, will join HMS Ocean at Devonport, creating an amphibious shipping centre of expertise. The current arrangements for the Vanguard class nuclear powered ballistic missile submarines, frigates, survey ships and minor war vessels work well and will not be changed.

European Union: Forthcoming Council Business

Lord Gavron: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is the forthcoming business in the Council of the European Union for July, and what will be the major European Union events for the period between 1 July 2002.

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean: European Calendar: July 2002
		
			 Date Location Event 
			 July 2002 
			 4 Copenhagen EU/Ukraine 
			 8 Tokyo EU/Japan 
			 11–12 Brussels Plenery Session of the Convention  on the Future of Europe 
			 12–13 Kolding Meeting of Employment and  Social Policy Ministers  (Ministerial Informal) 
			 15–16 Brussels Agriculture Council 
			 19 Brussels Budget meeting 
			 19–21 Arhus Meeting of Environment Ministers  (Ministerial Informal) 
			 21–22 Brussels General Affairs Council 
			 30–31 Brunei ASEAN Regional Forum  (Ministerial) 
			 30–1 Brunei EU/South Korea (Ministerial  Troika) 
			 30–1 Brunei EU/North Korea (Ministerial  Troika) 
		
	
	The following are the principal events in the EU between 1 August and December 2002. The list is based on the information available at the date of issue.
	
		European Calendar: August 2002–December 2002
		
			 Date Location Event 
			 August 2002 
			 1–2 Brunei ASEAN post-Ministerial  Conference (Troika) 
			 27–29 Ilulissat Meeting of the Northern  Dimension (Ministerial) 
			 31–1 Elsinore Gymnich (Ministerial Informal) 
			 September 2002 
			 6 Brussels ASEM Economic Ministers  Meeting 
			 6–8 Copenhagen ECOFIN (Ministerial Informal) 
			 8–10 Nyborg Agriculture Council (Ministerial  Informal) 
			 12–13 Brussels Plenary Session of the Convention  on the Future of Europe 
			 12–13 Copenhagen Justice and Home Affairs Council  (Ministerial Informal) 
			 22–24 Copenhagen ASEM Meeting 
			 23–24 Brussels Agriculture Council 
			 24 Copenhagen EU/China 
			 24 Copenhagen EU/South Korea 
			 26 Brussels Internal Market, Consumer Affairs  and Tourism Council 
			 27 Tent ACP/EU Ministers Meeting 
			 30 Brussels Research Council 
			 30–1 Brussels General Affairs Council October 2002 
			 3–4 Brussels Plenary Session of the Convention  on the Future of Europe 
			 3–4 Brussels Transport and  Telecommunications Council 
			 7–8 Copenhagen EU/Canada (Ministerial) 
			 8 Brussels ECOFIN 
			 8 Brussels Employment and Social Policy  Council 
			 10 Copenhagen EU/India 
			 14 Brussels Fisheries Council 
			 14–15 Brussels Justice and Home Affairs, and  Civil Protection Council 
			 15–16 Brussels Agriculture Council 
			 17 Brussels Environment Council 
			 18–19 Aalborg Internal Market, Consumer  Affairs and Industry Meeting  (Ministerial Informal) 
			 21–22 Brussels General Affairs Council 
			 24–25 Brussels European Council 
			 28–29 Brussels Plenary Session of the Convention  on the Future of Europe 
			 November 2002 
			 1 Brussels Culture Council 
			 2 Brussels ECOFIN—Troika meeting on  Macro-Economics Dialogue 
			 7–8 Copenhagen EU/SADC (Ministerial) 
			 7–8 Brussels Plenary Session of the Convention  on the Future of Europe 
			 11 Copenhagen EU/Russia 
			 12 Brussels Education and Youth Council 
			 14–15 Brussels Internal Market, Consumer  Affairs and Youth Council 
			 18 Brussels Fisheries Council 
			 18–19 Brussels General Affairs Council 
			 19–20 Brussels Agriculture Council 
			 22 Brussels Development Council 
			 25–26 Brussels Budget (Council) 
			 25–26 Brussels Industry and Energy Council 
			 28 Ouagadougou EU/Africa 
			 28–29 Brussels Justice and Home Affairs, and  Civil Protection Council 
			 December 2002 
			 2–3 Brussels ECOFIN 
			 3 Brussels Employment and Social Policy  Council 
			 5–6 Brussels Plenary Session of the Convention  on the Future of Europe 
			 5–6 Brussels Transport and  Telecommunications Council 
			 9–10 Brussels General Affairs Council 
			 9–10 Brussels Environment Council 
			 12–13 Copenhagen European Council 
			 16 Copenhagen/ 
			  Washington EU/US (Ministerial) 
			 16–17 Brussels Fisheries Council 
			 18–19 Brussels Agriculture Council 
			 19–20 Ottawa EU/Canada 
			 20–21 Brussels Plenary Session of the Convention  on the Future of Europe

Welfare of Laying Hens

Baroness Byford: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Why the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has decided to go ahead with its consultations into the welfare of laying hens and the cages ban prior to the department's research project's findings being completed.

Lord Whitty: It is important that we address the issue of enriched cages sooner rather than later. The industry needs to make long-term investment decisions.

Research Assessment Exercise and the NHS

Baroness Finlay of Llandaff: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How the research assessment exercise (RAE) will be revised (i) to recognise clinical research, especially in surgery and craft specialities and (ii) to ensure that RAE objectives match the priority areas in service and teaching for the National Health Service.

Baroness Ashton of Upholland: The Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) has announced its intention to review its research assessment policy. This review will be led by Sir Gareth Roberts. At the conclusion of the review, which will cover all disciplines, decisions on the future of the research assessment exercise will be taken.

GCSE Examinations: Special Arrangements

Baroness Cox: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will provide the figures for each year from 1993 to 2001 for the total number of candidates in England and Wales allowed special arrangements of all kinds of the GCSE examinations.

Baroness Ashton of Upholland: Figures are not available on the basis requested. The Joint Council for General Qualifications collates data on the applications for special arrangements agreed by each of the awarding bodies. Candidates frequently sit examinations with more than one awarding body. Data for applications processed therefore exceed the actual number of students receiving special considerations. The applications processed in 2001 represented 2.4 per cent of total entries at GCSE and GCE A/AS-level; the awarding bodies do not have a separate breakdown for GCSEs.

Autistic Spectrum Disorder: Data Collection in Schools

Lord Clement-Jones: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When data collection relating to children with autism spectrum disorders in schools will begin.

Baroness Ashton of Upholland: Provisions now consolidated in the Education Act 1996 require schools to submit information on numbers of pupils with special educational needs. There is currently no requirement for schools to submit information in the Annual Schools Census on the nature of such pupils' disability or learning difficulty.
	In June last year, the department carried out a pilot study involving a sample of 200 mainstream and special schools to assess whether it would be possible to collect data from schoools on a broad range of types of SEN. We are considering introducing a requirement for schools and LEAs to provide this information from 2004 and this is likely to include data on pupils categorised as having autistic spectrum disorder. Further work is needed, including developing appropriate data collection software and taking the views of schools and LEAs.
	We expect to consult widely on an agreed definition of the various types of SEN, including the main autism bodies, before requesting schools and LEAs to provide this information.

Temporary Use of Land

Lord Gavron: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What plans the Government have to change controls for temporary use of land under Part 4 of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995.

Lord Rooker: On 24 January 2002 a consultation paper was issued on possible options for change to the current temporary use provisions. The paper put forward six options for change as well as inviting proposals for alternative options. A preferred option was not given. The closing date for responses was 24 April 2002.
	We have had a significant response to the consultation paper and those views will be given due weight when considering any possible changes. Any changes that are made will only be after further consideration and decisions will not be taken lightly. However, the Government have no intention of disturbing urban and rural communities' traditional social and sporting activities through changes in this area.

Ex-prisoners: Re-offending

Baroness Nicol: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What progress the Social Exclusion Unit has made on its project on reducing re-offending by ex-prisoners.

Lord Rooker: The Social Exclusion Unit has published its report on reducing re-offending by ex-prisoners today.
	The report sets out the enormous cost, both in financial and human terms of re-offending by ex-prisoners and makes recommendations for reducing the risk of re-offending in the future.
	Copies of the report have been placed in the Libraries of both the House of Commons and the House of Lords.

London Magistrates' Courts: Rates of Independent Prosecutors

Lord Beaumont of Whitley: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What were the daily and half daily rates for independent prosecutors in the magistrates' courts in London for the five years prior to 1993.

Lord Goldsmith: The rates paid to independent barrister agents appearing in magistrates' courts in London to undertake sessional work for the CPS are in line with a central agreement with the Bar Council that is applied nationally.
	The rates in force for the five years prior to 1993 were:
	
		
			 Year Half-day Full-day Supplement for a heavy list(*) 
			 1988–89 £85 £125 £25 
			 1989–90 £95 £150 £25 
			 1990–91 £102 £161 £25 
			 1991–92 £109 £172 £25 
			 1992–93 £112 £175 £25 
		
	
	25 or more cases or 40 or more defendants.
	The rates paid to solicitor agents are agreed locally and can vary both across and within CPS areas. There are no data available confirming the rates paid to solicitor agents across London prior to 1993.

Defining the Boundaries within the Executive: Government Evidence

Baroness Uddin: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether the Government plan to submit written evidence to the Committee on Standards in Public Life as a part of its inquiry defining the boundaries within the Executive.

Lord Macdonald of Tradeston: The Government have today submitted written evidence to the Committee on Standards in Public Life as part of its inquiry into Defining the Boundaries within the Executive. Copies of the submission have been placed in the Libraries of the House.